DIS Shareholders and Stock Info ONLY

[TLSnell1981]

I know at least 5 families that subscribed/resubscribed to Disney+ the last week or 2. All gave
the same reasons. It is getting very expensive to go out/fly/drive anywhere because of
economy/inflation.

I was thinking of not renewing our expiring subscription but after an expensive weekend of going
to the movies with tickets/popcorn/drinks for family of 4 my husband said No Way to cancelling.

I dumped Disney+ today. Tired of monitoring content for the kids.

 

[wabbott]

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/m...-of-gru-box-office-record-opening-1235175075/

‘Minions: Rise of Gru’ Smashes July 4th Box Office Records With $127.9M Opening
The animated tentpole confirms that parents and younger kids are ready to return to the multiplex in droves despite the lingering pandemic.
By Pamela McClintock - July 3, 2022 8:01am

The long July 4th holiday weekend is turning into a box office extravaganza for Hollywood as Minions: The Rise of Gru heads for a huge four-day opening of $127.9 million domestically, according to early estimates. That includes $108.5 million for the three days (number could shift in either direction when updated numbers are released on Monday.

Overseas, the movie will cross $86 million by Sunday for a global booty of $200 million-plus.

Friday’s haul alone was around $48 million from 4,400 theaters, including a hefty $10.8 million in previews.

The movie’s performance is significant in that it confirms that parents and younger kids are ready to return to the multiplex in droves. Throughout the pandemic, animated films have been considered a challenged genre. It didn’t help when Pixar and Disney’s Toy Story spinoff Lightyear opened to a tepid $51 million last month before falling off steeply in its sophomore outing (still, Lightyear achieved a milestone on Friday when jumping the $100 million mark domestically on Friday).

 

[RivShore]

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/epic-disney-blow-up-1994-694476/

The Epic Disney Blow-Up of 1994: Eisner, Katzenberg and Ovitz 20 Years Later

Twenty years ago, Frank Wells, Disney's No. 2, died in a helicopter crash, and war broke out in the industry. It was Eisner vs. Katzenberg, the dominoes started to fall, and Kim Masters was in the middle of it.

April 9, 2014
By Kim Masters

Just had a chance to read this, thanks for posting!

What a freak'n mess Disney's exec transitions were and apparently still are.

Are all major companies like this and we just don't notice as much becasuse they don't get the attention and press Disney does?

 

[wabbott]

Are all major companies like this and we just don't notice as much becasuse they don't get the attention and press Disney does?

Yes, imo. Disney's always known how to use free media for their benefit, even back in Walt's day. So whenever something negative comes up, it also gets ink. Comcast/NBC/Universal doesn't seem to get near the attention of DIS.

 

[afan]

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/m...-of-gru-box-office-record-opening-1235175075/

‘Minions: Rise of Gru’ Smashes July 4th Box Office Records With $127.9M Opening
The animated tentpole confirms that parents and younger kids are ready to return to the multiplex in droves despite the lingering pandemic.
By Pamela McClintock - July 3, 2022 8:01am

The long July 4th holiday weekend is turning into a box office extravaganza for Hollywood as Minions: The Rise of Gru heads for a huge four-day opening of $127.9 million domestically, according to early estimates. That includes $108.5 million for the three days (number could shift in either direction when updated numbers are released on Monday.

Overseas, the movie will cross $86 million by Sunday for a global booty of $200 million-plus.

Friday’s haul alone was around $48 million from 4,400 theaters, including a hefty $10.8 million in previews.

The movie’s performance is significant in that it confirms that parents and younger kids are ready to return to the multiplex in droves. Throughout the pandemic, animated films have been considered a challenged genre. It didn’t help when Pixar and Disney’s Toy Story spinoff Lightyear opened to a tepid $51 million last month before falling off steeply in its sophomore outing (still, Lightyear achieved a milestone on Friday when jumping the $100 million mark domestically on Friday).

I'd be curious to know how many of those tickets are kids and how much is actually parents and young kids. I went to a 9am showing yesterday that was less than 30 people. The only kids were between prob 8 and 14 and there was 3 or 4. It was all teens and adults. Maybe it's my area but there are normally more kids at a kids movie Saturday morning. It's my preferred time to go on an opening weekend for any movie but esp now since they are more empty still.

 

[wabbott]

I'd be curious to know how many of those tickets are kids and how much is actually parents and young kids. I went to a 9am showing yesterday that was less than 30 people. The only kids were between prob 8 and 14 and there was 3 or 4. It was all teens and adults. Maybe it's my area but there are normally more kids at a kids movie Saturday morning. It's my preferred time to go on an opening weekend for any movie but esp now since they are more empty still.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/ente...ru-wins-july-4-weekend-box-office/7800233001/

"Minions 2" attracted all ages to the theater, even the very young. According to PostTrak surveys, 12% were under the age of 10.

 

[RivShore]

Yes, imo. Disney's always known how to use free media for their benefit, even back in Walt's day. So whenever something negative comes up, it also gets ink. Comcast/NBC/Universal doesn't seem to get near the attention of DIS.

So the old double edged sword of media coverage.

You mentioning Comcast/Universal reminds me, I recently asked one of their FL parks employees how they stay under the radar compared to the spotlight on all of Disney's missteps in the culture wars and especially the battle with FL. He said two things - one similar to your thoughts, the media is always watching them but, more importantly, all the park management is local, they do not report to California in any way so they can do what is best in their part of the world with out fear of the corporate office coming after them. Very interesting and significant difference.

 

[wabbott]

As far as the culture wars, you have the fact that DIS made a big point of being family friendly from the beginning. Walt insisted that whenever company execs traveled, they were to take their spouses with them. He wanted no chance that a story might show up about a bunch of DIS execs at a strip club or some such. In the mid 80s, there was a huge debate about the movie Splash and how to portray Darryl Hannah topless. That's why the movie label Touchstone was created, to put out PG and R rated movies.

With DIS now "adapting to the times" shall we say, that leaves the company open to the charge of hypocrisy. Other movie studios never set themselves up a virtuous exemplars, so they don't have that problem.

All IMO, of course.

 

[afan]

https://www.usatoday.com/story/ente...ru-wins-july-4-weekend-box-office/7800233001/

"Minions 2" attracted all ages to the theater, even the very young. According to PostTrak surveys, 12% were under the age of 10.

That makes more sense. It's the 5th movie so will draw more older that have grown up watching. 12% doesn't say to me that parents with kids are ready to return.

I think more of a tell would be more of a kids movie, though the previews for what's coming left a lot to be desired. I feel for, the parents that have to watch some of them, wherever they watch them.

 

[xdan0920]

Minions basically tripled Lightyear opening weekend. I am hoping and praying that this slap in the face wakes up Disney. Seems they have committed to this path though. Sad, honestly.

 

[wabbott]

We had this information last week when it was posted on the SEC website.

https://wdwnt.com/2022/07/extension-of-disney-ceo-bob-chapeks-contract-includes-20-million-bonus/

Disney CEO Bob Chapek to Receive $20 Million Bonus Every Year

 

[wabbott]

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/analysis-why-did-minions-rise-152620676.html

Analysis: Why Did 'Minions: The Rise Of Gru' Break Box Office Records While 'Lightyear' Fizzled?
Phil Hall - Tue, July 5, 2022 at 10:26 AM

 

[clarker99]

Minions basically tripled Lightyear opening weekend. I am hoping and praying that this slap in the face wakes up Disney. Seems they have committed to this path though. Sad, honestly.

May I ask you to extrapolate on what you mean by 'Seems they have committed to this path though'?

 

[BrianL]

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/analysis-why-did-minions-rise-152620676.html

Analysis: Why Did 'Minions: The Rise Of Gru' Break Box Office Records While 'Lightyear' Fizzled?
Phil Hall - Tue, July 5, 2022 at 10:26 AM

That article was a bit off base in some regards, though the main issue was definitely timing. Top Gun just absolutely exploded the Box Office - why I just do not know - but it did ant it held extraordinarily well. Jurassic World was also a powerhouse. The issue theen is that Lightyear wasn't seen as a younger skewing alternative because it's marketing positioned it as more of a sci-fi epic than a kids' movie. Lightyear seemed to be competing for the same eyes that would see Top Gun, JW, or any other action/sci-fi "genre" movie. I mean, the first trailer was set to Bowie's Starman - what kid knows that? Not that Disney didn't try with toys - and Lightyear certianly had a big presence in the toy aisle (the article makes it sound like it didn't - it had the McDonalds and otehr typical tie-ins too). Of course, when your movie is skewing older already, toys don't help much. To top it off, Lightyear was just an okay movie - not great really. It lacked a certain verve that Pixar movies usually have. It's a bit dry really, which is surprising considering the pedigree, but it is what it is. Minions is arguably a much better movie (though I haven't seen it nor do I much care for the franchise), and that's really all there is to it. Everythign else is just noise and would barely have an impact anyway.

 

[clarker99]

That article was a bit off base in some regards, though the main issue was definitely timing. Top Gun just absolutely exploded teh Box Office - why I just do not know - but it did ant it held extraordinarily well. Jurassic World was also a powerhouse. The issue theen is that Lightyear wasn't seen as a younger skewing alternative because it's marketing positioned it as more of a sci-fi epic than a kids' movie. Lightyear seemed to be competing for the same eyes that would see Top Gun, JW, or any other action/sci-fi "genre" movie. I mean, the first trailer was set to Bowie's Starman - what kid knows that? Not that Disney didn't try with toys - and Lightyear certianly had a big presence in the toy aisle (the article makes it sound like it didn't - it had the McDonalds and otehr typical tie-ins too). Of course, when your movie is skewing older already, toys don't help much. To top it off, Lightyear was just an okay movie - not great really. It lacked a certain verve that Pixar movies usually have. It's a bit dry really, which is surprising considering the pedigree, but it is what it is. Minions is arguably a much better movie (though I haven't seen it nor do I much care for the franchise), and that's really all there is to it. Everythign else is just noise and would barely have an impact anyway.

Pre-pandemic, Toy Story 4 and Incredibles 2 did over $1B (All released on the 3rd week in June, just like Lightyear). Onward was only in theatres a week or so when the world was shutdown. Luca, Soul and Turning Red were pandemic releases. Turning Red has been a D+ hit and likely would have done well in theatres. I am not so sure how well either Luca or Soul would have done at the box office. IMO, Soul definitely would have missed at the box office. I liked it but not sure it is a kid's movie.

Interesting to see if this impacts Pete Doctor's standing as Pixar boss (I doubt it). Is he less inspiring/creative than Lassiter? Time will tell.

 

[BrianL]

Pre-pandemic, Toy Story 4 and Incredibles 2 did over $1B. Onward was only in theatres a week or so when the world was shutdown. Luca, Soul and Turning Red were pandemic releases. Turning Red has been a D+ hit and likely would have done well in theatres. I am not so sure how well either Luca or Soul would have done at the box office. IMO, Soul definitely would have missed at the box office. I liked it but not sure it is a kid's movie.

Interesting to see if this impacts Pete Doctor's standing as Pixar boss (I doubt it). Is he less inspiring/creative than Lassiter? Time will tell.

Yeah, I think Soul ight have been a miss too - it's very good but skews older, a bit too much so. Luca is hard to say - in my opinion it's the best of the four most recent, but I can also say that it didn't much appeal to me initially. Luca might have really done well in international markets though.

I think Pete Doctor is plenty creative, and some of the projects he directed himself are among Pixar's best. I do think he is less visionary though, and doesn't quite have Lasseter's knack for knowing what will really hit.

Also, to add, Toy Story 4 in 2019 was released in the same week, but competition was much weaker. It did contend with unknown Secret Life of Pets a few weeks earlier, but absolute dogs, DArk Phoenix and Men in Black International were the big genre releases. Of course, Toy Story 4 did not skew as adult either so it was unnnecesary to compete with those. Incredibles 2 actually did skew older, playing much like a MArvel movie, but did not have as much genre competition until afterward with Jurassic World 2 a week later. Yeah, I had to look up the close releases.

 

[afan]

That article was a bit off base in some regards, though the main issue was definitely timing. Top Gun just absolutely exploded the Box Office - why I just do not know - but it did ant it held extraordinarily well. Jurassic World was also a powerhouse. The issue theen is that Lightyear wasn't seen as a younger skewing alternative because it's marketing positioned it as more of a sci-fi epic than a kids' movie. Lightyear seemed to be competing for the same eyes that would see Top Gun, JW, or any other action/sci-fi "genre" movie. I mean, the first trailer was set to Bowie's Starman - what kid knows that? Not that Disney didn't try with toys - and Lightyear certianly had a big presence in the toy aisle (the article makes it sound like it didn't - it had the McDonalds and otehr typical tie-ins too). Of course, when your movie is skewing older already, toys don't help much. To top it off, Lightyear was just an okay movie - not great really. It lacked a certain verve that Pixar movies usually have. It's a bit dry really, which is surprising considering the pedigree, but it is what it is. Minions is arguably a much better movie (though I haven't seen it nor do I much care for the franchise), and that's really all there is to it. Everythign else is just noise and would barely have an impact anyway.

I think it also misses that DM3 anf TG were supposed to be released in 2020 and got pushed to last year and then this year. There were some Minion tie in products the summer of 2020 that made no sense if you didn't know the movie should have been out. It was all stuff I saw grocery shopping.

Both are also sequels to movies people want to see. I don't think anyone was asking for a Buzz origin story and it's just odd to me. If it had looked better in the previews I'd have gone to see it but as it was I was already going to 3 movies in a month and a half and didn't want a 4th that didn't look good. I'll watch it on D+. Also wishing I'd skipped Jurassic but I expected it to be better than it was.

 

[BrianL]

I think it also misses that DM3 anf TG were supposed to be released in 2020 and got pushed to last year and then this year. There were some Minion tie in products the summer of 2020 that made no sense if you didn't know the movie should have been out. It was all stuff I saw grocery shopping.

Both are also sequels to movies people want to see. I don't think anyone was asking for a Buzz origin story and it's just odd to me. If it had looked better in the previews I'd have gone to see it but as it was I was already going to 3 movies in a month and a half and didn't want a 4th that didn't look good. I'll watch it on D+. Also wishing I'd skipped Jurassic but I expected it to be better than it was.

No, the marketing was a dog really. I mean, it appealed to me, a 40-something lifelong sci-fi nerd, but I think it took itself too seriously. The movie kind of did too. And it IS a good movie, it's just not a great movie, and that's gonna hold it back when others around it ostensibly are.

 

[clarker99]

I think Pete Doctor is plenty creative, and some of the projects he directed himself are among Pixar's best. I do think he is less visionary though, and doesn't quite have Lasseter's knack for knowing what will really hit.

This is the thing, will his movies sell tickets? Incredibles and Toy Story are not his projects. These last 4 films were made under crazy circumstances but we don't have any new franchise opportunities like Disney Animation does with Encanto.

No, the marketing was a dog really. I mean, it appealed to me, a 40-something lifelong sci-fi nerd, but I think it took itself too seriously. The movie kind of did too. And it IS a good movie, it's jsut not a great movie, and that's gonna hold it back when others around it ostensibly are.

I agree, Lightyear was good. I thought the 1st 30-40 mins were good and then it kind of stumbled after the sad part (sorry trying not to spoil anything). I am thinking it will do okay on D+ but it is not gonna do Encanto or Turning Red streaming numbers.

 

[xdan0920]

May I ask you to extrapolate on what you mean by 'Seems they have committed to this path though'?

Woke